The princess stepped back, and the little white 43 cat jumped into the room. The princess took the little cat on her lap and stroked him with her hand, and the cat raised up its back and began to purr.
“Where do you come from, and what is your name?” asked the princess.
“No matter where I come from or what’s my name,” said the cat, “I am a friend of yours, and I come to help you?”
“I never wanted help worse,” said the princess.
“I know that,” said the cat; “and now listen to me. When the giant comes back from battle and asks you to marry him, say to him you will marry him.”
“But I will never marry him,” said the princess.
“Do what I tell you,” said the cat. “When he asks you to marry him, say to him you will if his dwarfs will wind for you three balls from the fairy dew that lies on the bushes on a misty morning as big as these,” said the cat, putting his right forefoot into his ear and taking out three balls––one yellow, one red, and one blue.
“They are very small,” said the princess. “They are not much bigger than peas, and the dwarfs will not be long at their work.”
“Won’t they,” said the cat. “It will take them a month and a day to make one, so that it will take three months and three days before the balls are wound; but the giant, like you, will think they can 44 be made in a few days, and so he will readily promise to do what you ask. He will soon find out his mistake, but he will keep his word, and will not press you to marry him until the balls are wound.”
“When will the giant come back?” asked Eileen.